Starch is an important energy source in animal feeds, providing the carbohydrate needed for growth, milk production and reproduction. It is often used as an ingredient in animal feed. It can be used as a bulk feedstuff or in combination with other ingredients such as protein.
Starch is broken down into smaller sugars when it enters the digestive system of animals. This process releases energy, which can be used to produce muscle growth or heat. It is a polysaccharide consisting of many glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds. Enzymes can digest this polysaccharide in the animal’s digestive tract to form glucose molecules, which are then absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream.
The major sources of starch in animal feeds are cereals such as wheat or Maise (corn). The amount of starch in these cereals varies according to their quality and stage of maturity. Wheat contains about 70% starch on a dry matter basis, while Maise contains about 90%.
Some starches are also high in protein, which makes them especially useful as animal food. The demand for starch in animal nutrition has increased with increasing awareness about the benefits of using starch-based ingredients in feed formulations.
What is starch and its sources?
Starch is a carbohydrate that plants produce. It is used as a food source for humans and animals.
There are many sources of plant-based starch. Some of the most common and popular ones include:
- Potatoes
- Yams
- Sweet potatoes
- Cassava root
- Tapioca
Classification of Starch
Starch can be classified into four major groups based on the structure of their molecules: amylose, amylopectin, waxy starches and modified starches.
- Amylose consists of linear chains of glucose molecules linked together by alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds.
- Amylopectin consists of branched chains of glucose molecules linked together by alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds with some branching at positions other than alpha 1-6.
- Waxy starches are highly branched polysaccharides made up of D-glucans; they have an intermediate molecular weight range between amylose and amylopectin.
- Modified starches are prepared by chemical modification of native starch (native starch refers to starch extracted from natural sources).
Three main Different Types of Starch
- Rapidly digestible starch (RDS)
It’s the most common form of starch, and it’s found in many common foods and snacks. Foods with RDS include bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, breakfast cereals and crackers. These foods are digested very quickly because they contain amylose, a type of sugar that humans can digest fast.
- Slowly digestible starch (SDS)
It takes longer to digest than RDS. SDS is found in whole grains like oats, brown rice and bulgur wheat. These foods also contain resistant starch (RS), which makes them even slower to digest than SDS alone.
- Resistant Starch (RS)
It’s fibre that our bodies can’t break down into glucose for energy or fat storage. It’s found naturally in some fruits, vegetables and legumes; however, it can also be added to processed foods as an ingredient or byproduct of the processing.
Maize Starch and its Importance
Maize starch is a common ingredient in animal feeds. It is used as a source of energy and to promote growth.
Maize starch is produced by processing corn into cornmeal, and then grinding the meal into flour. The resulting flour is gelatinized and dried, then ground again into cornstarch. The final product is a powdery white substance that can be used in many different types of animal feeds.
When it comes to feeding animals, Maize starch serves as a source of energy for their growth and development. It also helps to improve the digestibility of other nutrients in feed, such as protein and fat. Maize fibre– is a byproduct of the corn milling process. It is a very fibrous material that can be used as a feed ingredient for ruminants and monogastric animals. It has high digestibility, low protein content and excellent rumen retention time.
The main use for Maise starch in animal feed is as an energy source for ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats). Ruminants have a multi-chambered stomach which allows them to digest fibre that is not digested by monogastric (horses and pigs). Therefore, they require more fibre than monogastric do.
Why should you procure modified starch from Bluecraft Agro?
1) We are a leading supplier of high-quality modified starches to the food industry with over 15 years’ experience supplying our customers with reliable products at competitive prices.
2) We use only natural ingredients to manufacture our products and ensure that they are made without any kind of chemicals or additives. Our team of quality controllers checks each batch of product on different parameters to ensure that you get only top-notch products from us.
3) Our goal is to manufacture good quality Modified Starch products and ensure customer satisfaction by providing them with affordable prices and high-quality services.